BOVINA

At approximately 1:00 am Friday morning members of Delhi, Andes and Bovina Fire Departments, responded to a structure fire at 3150 Maggie Hoag Road, Delhi. The residence was fully engulfed, during the initial search of the ruins, the home owner, 51 year old Helen Stroppel, was located deceased inside. Investigators have developed no evidence indicating that Stroppel’s death, or the cause of the fire, were criminal in nature. Several secondary heat sources, including kerosene space heaters were located within the residence and could not be eliminated as a cause of the fire. The investigation is continuing.
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Chenango county sheriff’s deputies arrested 30 year old Alexander Horvath of South New Berlin, Friday for Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with BAC over .18 and other vehicle violations following a 1 car accident on County Rd 31 in the Town of New Berlin. Horvath was allegedly operating a motor vehicle upon a public highway in an intoxicated condition; he will appear in the Town of New Berlin court at a later date.
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43 year old Gabriel Bonacci of Sidney faces additional charges relating to his arrest & the execution of a search warrant at his Town of Sidney residence on Friday evening by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, State Police & Sidney Village Police. Bonacci has been charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a stun gun & Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, he remains at the Delaware County Jail without bail, he will be arraigned on the new charges in the Town of Sidney Court at a later time. Sheriff’s Investigators also arrested 64 year old Donna Bonacci of Sidney with an additional count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, for possessing cocaine, she was arraigned was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail. Sheriff’s Investigators also arrested 24 year old Brittany Bonacci of Sidney, for 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon & Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, she was arraigned in the Town of Sidney Court was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail pending further court action.
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Norwich police arrested 21 year old Jessica Lennox of Norwich for allegedly stabbing her 22 year old Domenick Lepera of Norwich in front of their child during a domestic dispute. Lennox was charged with 2nd degree assault, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child and harassment. Lepera was charged with criminal obstruction of breath or blood, endangering the welfare of a child, 3rd degree assault and harassment. The couple was arraigned in Norwich city court & will face additional court action at a later date.
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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police are investigating an incident regarding vehicle reported stolen to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania on October 18th. The 2012 Porsche Cayman bearing PA registration DSN-8875 was recovered on Lee Hollow Road in the Town of Bovina, Anyone who may have information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Undersheriff Craig DuMond at 746-2336.
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The State Labor Department released local area unemployment rates for September. The state’s unemployment rate fell to 6.2%, Locally, Broome County’s unemployment rate is 6.0%, Chenango County 5.4%, Delaware County 6.0% and Otsego County had 5.0% unemployment.
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The National Guard will be at SUCO in Oneonta tonight to present a Citizen Preparedness Corps Training program. Citizen Preparedness Corps Trainings are aimed at helping people prepare for weather-related challenges, respond safely and recover as quickly as possible after a storm, flood or other disaster occurs. The free training is open to the public and will take place at 6 p.m. in the Hunt Union Ballroom. Participants need to sign at prepare.ny.gov
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This winter after some snowfall, you might be surprised to see a Pink Plow blade on a truck at the Silo Restaurant in Greene. Silo Chef & Owner Gary Kurz explained that he did it for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

(Gary Kurz 1-23-14)

October is national Breast cancer Awareness month. More information is available at cancer.org.
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There will be a Republican primary in the 52nd Senate District. The state Board of Elections officially certified the primary between Denver Jones and incumbent Senator Tom Libous, following a legal battle over the validity of Jones’s signatures for the ballot. The state Supreme Court Appellate Division ruled Jones had at least 1,000 valid signatures of registered Republicans in the district.
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In Delaware County, Polls will be open from Noon to 9 PM. Democrats will hold a Primary in all towns for Governor and Lt Governor. Republicans will hold a Primary in the Town of Franklin for Member of Council; in the 101st Assembly District that includes Andes, Bovina, Davenport, Delhi, Hamden and Meredith. Delaware County residents needing more information can call the County Board of Elections at 746-2315.
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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that his office will operate a statewide Election Day hotline to help ensure that all eligible voters are able to cast an effective ballot during today’s primary elections. Voters can report issues or problems at polls by calling 800-771-7755.
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The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured today, with the Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach. The Coach will be available from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM today at the American Legion located at 176 Main Street in Laurens. Appointments are available at 1-888-345-0225.

Delaware county Sheriff’s deputies responded Sunday to a domestic incident where a person was held at gunpoint at 1090 County Highway 5 in Bovina. Deputies and State troopers responded & found a victim fleeing from the residence, who had been released by the perpetrator, 32 year old Justin Geraghty, who had taken the homeowners hostage following an earlier domestic incident at another residence. Geraghty barricaded himself in the residence with a firearm and threatened to kill law enforcement officers. Tear gas was deployed in an attempt to get Geraghty to surrender, he was found deceased inside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Geraghty was wanted by the State Division of Parole, and by the Delhi Police Department for 1st degree Burglary, 3rd degree Assault and Petty Larceny.

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Governor Cuomo’s popularity is moving upward, according to a new poll from Siena College out today. The Siena poll found 65% of registered voters found Cuomo’s performance was favorable up 7% from the June poll numbers, while 30% found Cuomo’s job performance unfavorable. Among the Upstate voters polled, 55% said that Cuomo’s performance was favorable, with 41% choosing unfavorable.

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A motorcyclist was killed Sunday when a nearby car hit a deer, sending it airborne and into the path of the motorcycle. Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the accident on state route 8 in the Town of Brookfield Sunday, they reported that 31-year-old Phurba Tamang, of Utica was driving on Route 8 when she hit a deer, which became airborne and struck a motorcycle driven by 49 year old Cyle Chesebro of West Edmeston, Chesebro was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated a car & pedestrian accident on County Hwy 21 in the Town of Walton. 60-year-old David Gomez of the Bronx was traveling on County Highway 21 near Runion Road Thursday, when he had struck 37 year old William Caputo of Walton, who was walking down the center of the road. No tickets were issued to Gomez and Caputo was transported to Bassett hospital in Cooperstown for treatment of injuries.

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Springbrook will host a career fair on Wednesday, August 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at their Oneonta offices at 5588 State Route 7. Attendees are encouraged to apply online at springbrookny.org prior to interviewing at the career fair, according to Recruitment Specialist Nate Furman:

(Nate Furman 8-12-13)

Furman said that the new positions would include the new Sidney Facility that has just opened, as well as the Oxford facility opening in September, and the existing Oneonta, Milford & Norwich facilities.

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The Sidney central school district Athletic department has scheduled a parent-athlete meeting for Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the Sidney High School Auditorium. Sidney Athletic Director Chris Haynes explains:

(Chris Haynes 8-12-13)

Haynes said that the program would be about 90 minutes; the program comes prior to the start of the JV and Varsity sports next week on August 19th.

State Police are investigating a robbery at around 2:00 AM today, at the Xtra Mart on Main Street in Afton. Police said that a white male with a bandana over his face entered the store, displayed a knife and demanded cash, he left in a late model black Nissan Maxima with license plate number FDD-1366. Anyone with information regarding the robbery is asked to contact police at 561-7400.

The 18th annual Gus Macker 3 on 3-basketball tournament will be held in downtown Norwich the weekend of July 13th. Macker organizer Tom Revoir said that the deadline to register teams is coming up soon:

(Tom Revoir 6-13-13)

Revoir said that the Mail-in registration deadline is June 21st; the online registration deadline is June 24th. Those who want to volunteer as “Gus-Busters” should call 336-9622, extension 29.

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Governor Cuomo today introduced legislation to help improve New York State’s ability to coordinate preparation and response for disaster emergencies. The legislation will make technical updates to current emergency laws, allow the State to accept certain gifts and donations to assist with emergencies, and help implement the NY-Text emergency alert system.

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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division arrested 25-year-old John Mahler of Walton for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief. Mahler is accused of breaking a cell door window while incarcerated in the Delaware County Jail, he was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and was returned back to the Jail, he will reappear in the Town of Delhi Court on June 18th to answer to the new charges.

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State police in Oneonta arrested 29-year-old Eric Sinstack of Oneonta, for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC of .10%. The arrest resulted from a one car property damage auto accident on County Highway 11A in the Town of Laurens. Sinstack was issued Appearance Tickets returnable to the Town of Laurens Court on June 20th.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated a 1-car property damage auto accident Tuesday in the Village of Delhi on Franklin Street. 17-year-old Emma Berry of Bovina lost control of her vehicle went over an embankment. Berry was not injured, she was issued a traffic ticket for an un-inspected motor vehicle, which is returnable to the Town of Delhi Court on June 25th.

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State Senator Jim Seward announced senate passage of a package of legislation to help New York’s military veterans.. The bills would exempt veterans organizations from paying taxes on heating fuel, currently only religious and charitable organizations get that exemption. The senate also passed the Veterans Employment Act that would grant veterans the right to temporary appointments by state agencies, rather than using temporary employment service companies.

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Delaware County Sheriff Deputy’s investigated a 2-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton. 20-year-old Ashley Goodrich of Walton lost her brakes, left the roadway and struck a parked vehicle causing property damage. Goodrich was issued a Traffic ticket for Uninspected Motor Vehicle and is scheduled to appear in the town of Walton Court on June 26th.

State Police at Oneonta arrested56-year-old Joseph Desilva of Laurens for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC result of .17%. Desilva was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Laurens Court on March 14th.

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STATE SENATOR Jim Seward is looking to get more money into the state budget, to continue a program to retrofit old farm tractors and save lives:

(Seward 3-7-13)

The program is administered through Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 17 year old Bovina male and a 17 year old Delhi Male for 2 counts each of 2nd degree Burglary, 1 count each of 4th degree Grand Larceny and 1 count each of Petty Larceny. These charges stem from an on going investigation into burglaries in the Town of Bovina. Both were arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and released on their own recognizance to re-appear on March 19th.

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New York State’s economy added 29,600 jobs in January, breaking a record with 17 consecutive months of private sector jobs added, according to the State Labor Department. Between December and January, the State’s unemployment rate rose from 8.2% to 8.4%, with the Upstate counties rate increasing by 1 tenth to 7.9%. Areas with the biggest job losses included Binghamton, Utica & Rome.

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The Oneonta department of public service will be performing hydrant flow tests on Blodgett drive, Farone drive & Carson road after 9:00 PM Tonight. Residents in those areas may experience a change in watercolor or pressure, which will only be a temporary occurrence according to department officials. Anyone with questions can call 432-6465.

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Friday night & Saturday night students & staff and the Unatego school district will put on their 15th annual variety show at the middle & high school building in Wells Bridge. Staff member Judy Pitel explains:

(Judy Pitel)

The shows will begin at 7:00 each night, on Friday night the Unatego Interact club will hold a spaghetti dinner from 4:00 to 6:30 PM in the high school cafeteria; money raised will be donated to the Unadilla food bank. Tickets will be available at 988-5098.

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Governor Cuomo is urging the USDA to choose New York State to implement the strained Greek yogurt pilot program. In January, the USDA announced that it would begin a pilot program to test the cost-effectiveness of including Greek yogurt in school meal programs. The state has become the nation’s leader in strained Greek yogurt production with plants such as Chobani, the plants have more than doubled in number and production, and milk production grew by nearly 850 million pounds. The USDA pilot program would be part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which provides meals in public and private schools.

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NYSEG has launched a free online energy efficiency program for residential customers. Energy Saver provides personalized energy-saving recommendations and rewards NYSEG customers with points based on how much energy they save. The points can be redeemed for discounts from online retailers. Customers can join at www.nyseg.com and by clicking on the Energy Saver get started button.